Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a stern warning to the media, cautioning that misinformation and propaganda are becoming dangerous threats to national stability.
Addressing stakeholders at the World Press Freedom Day event, he drew a clear line between responsible journalism and content designed to mislead or inflame public sentiment.
“Not everything published or broadcast today is journalism,” he said bluntly. “Some of it is deliberate falsehood aimed at creating fear, division, and panic.”
The minister warned that in the era of social media and algorithm-driven amplification, the consequences of false reporting have become more severe, with the potential to spark communal tensions, undermine public health efforts, and even threaten national security.
He stressed that while press freedom is non-negotiable, it must be exercised with responsibility and integrity.
“Press freedom does not mean freedom from accountability,” he noted, adding that regulatory frameworks are necessary to maintain order and protect the public interest.
Sam George called on the Ghana Journalists Association to strengthen editorial standards, invest in fact-checking, and ensure that journalists uphold the ethics that define the profession.
